Student Residences 2007

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Information Technology Services (ITS) has been working on expanding the wireless Internet access network for the past six to eight months, said Chris Gill, head of ITS and chief information officer. Expansion of campus hot zones is part of an 18-month upgrade for the entire campus network, wired or not. The University is spending approximately $600,000 to provide more wireless coverage and $2.5 million to update the wired network. ITS is coming to the close of its 18-month project by expanding wireless Internet coverage to all major buildings on campus. In addition to campus buildings, the expansion will include the Quad and other “central green space,” Gill said. Updates to the wireless network expansion should be complete by the fall term. “

“The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s new suite-style residence halls will be under construction by the fall semester of 2008 and will adhere to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. The LEED-certified “green” buildings will be constructed in a way that will improve their impact on the environment in every step of the building process. Steve Summers, deputy assistant chancellor for student affairs, said UW-Whitewater is tremendously excited about constructing the first LEED certified buildings in the entire UW System…Points are gained by recognition of performance in five areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere efficiency, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality. ”

“After more than a decade of delays, the payoff is near. The State Building Commission in Madison approved more than $1 million in planning funds so UW-River Falls can replace aging Karges Center with a much larger, modern physical education facility.The State Building Commission also approved doubling the size of UW-RF’s newest residence hall, South Fork Suites. The final say on both projects comes later in spring when the Legislature and governor weigh in.”

“Considering the many housing options provided on the Charles River campus, reading through Boston University’s housing selection list may stress students. Factors such as proximity to classes, in-dorm socialization, food variety and building conditions come into play while making the crucial where-to-live decision.More than 1,500 seniors lived on campus in fall 2006, said Housing Office Director Marc Robillard…’Students live on campus because of the location of the residences in relationship to classes, the library, recreational facilities and other extracurricular activities,’ he said in an email. ‘I think that students generally feel that the campus is safe and that there is a very positive community feel to the residence system.’ “

“Typical gender rules are changing. And Eastern may be moving in the same direction. Over 30 colleges and universities, including Harvard, Brown and Dartmouth, have adopted two new housing arrangements called gender-neutral and gender-blind housing. Gender-neutral housing allows students to not identify with a specific gender when applying for on-campus housing. This housing policy has originated to give the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender populations a more comfortable environment in campus dormitories. Gender-blind housing policies take housing a step further by allowing same-gender and opposite-gender roommate pairings, regardless of sex.”

“The State Building Commission has forwarded recommendations for five major University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh projects, totaling $97.3 million, to the Joint Finance Committee for the next step of approval. The five projects include a new $48 million academic building, a new $34 million residence hall, an $8.4 million remodel and addition for the Elmwood Center, a $500,000 softball stadium at the Oshkosh Athletic Complex, and the $6.3 million purchase and renovation of the former Cub Foods Building to house the Facilities Management Center. ”

“After much speculation, we finally know: The new dorm under construction on 12th Street is going to house 700 lucky freshmen. Furthermore, it seems University residence hall, which has excluded upperclassmen for a couple of years now, may be handed back to upperclassmen. As for this new dorm, it’s going to be remarkably sweet with its contrasting sleek-and-tall-cum-churchy thing. Better yet, it’s going to have a computer lab – hopefully it’ll have free printing. Sadly, upperclassmen will never live there, and we’re pretty sure it’s because U-hall would make a better addition to the sophomore cluster – er, sophomore preferential zone. “

“The University of Mississippi plans to build three ‘residential colleges’ that will pair hundreds of students in modern quarters with a few professors living and teaching next door. But a new report by American School & University magazine shows the typical cost nationwide was $20.4 million for a 382-student residence hall constructed in 2005…An Ole Miss senior faculty fellow and junior faculty fellow, along with their spouses, will be invited to stay in apartments in the new buildings. But the idea of living in proximity to college students, known to turn up the music and keep odd hours, doesn’t appeal to some professors.”

””Contractors for the new Observatory Hill Residence Hall officially received permission Friday to begin construction, according to Wendy Steesy, senior project manager of University Facilities Management…The new residence hall is expected to house students starting in fall 2008. The design is ‘transitional between traditional and contemporary,’ Karn said. ‘It uses materials and colors that fit the tradition of the University but in an innovative composition.’ ”